'Working hard in domestic cricket for two years and being mentally tough' - How Ishan Kishan made a comeback for the ages

India have got their campaign in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 off to a rollicking start after bagging their second straight win, which came against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on Thursday, February 12. The wrecker-in-chief of this win was opening batter Ishan Kishan, whose match-defining half-century put India on the front foot right from the word 'go'.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir was mightily impressed with Kishan and the start he provided to the team in the first half of the game. Gambhir believes that this is the exact kind of aggression and mindset that he wants the players to have on the field. 

"Guys, well done today on the result. I thought we were very clinical. To start with Kishan and Sanju [Samson] that was a fantastic start. We spoke about the intent, we spoke about how you want to be aggressive and you want to be brave, and that is exactly how we want to play," Gambhir said while addressing the dressing room in a video posted on BCCI.tv.

Kishan was also India's Impact Player, for his thunderous knock that literally kept the Namibians begging for his mercy until the Jharkhand cricketer eventually departed for 61 off 28. The team's head physiotherapist Kamlesh Jain reflected on how it was more than two years of waiting for the wicketkeeper-batter that is finally reaping the rewards. 

"Today's Impact Player is about belief, hard work and mental toughness. When he was not part of the team for two years, he had that belief that whenever he would come back, he would make an impact. From working hard in domestic cricket for two years and being mentally tough, he has really cashed in, and when he got his opportunity, he just capitalised on it. Today's Impact Player is Ishan Kishan for his 61(24)," Kamlesh said.

Kishan's half-century powered the Men in Blue to an astounding win in New Delhi. With four points to their name on the table after two matches and as many left in the group stage, India will go up against the arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday in Colombo. A win in this contest will ensure their qualification for the Super Eights. If they don't win, they will have one more chance to do so by beating the Netherlands on February 18.